Popped this open last night. My initial impression was that I would not pay for more of this at 12 bucks. Then after 20 minutes or so I had other thoughts: A good food wine. Dark fruit, light-med spice and hints of vanilla on the smooth, medium length finish. If I didn't know better, I would have guessed I was drinking a Chateaneuf du Pape. Granted, this wouldn't fool me into thinking I was drinking a 30 dollar CdP, but maybe a 20 dollar one. With that in mind, I may buy more and use this to satisfy my CdP cravings while my 98 Rhones sit and mature...

All of Cline's 1998 releases seem to be especially good! Unfortunately, besides us wine drinkers taking notice, the folks at WS also took notice and managed to rate Cline with a couple of 90+ point wines.

Hopefully this discovery will be short-lived, so we can continue to enjoy Cline at a reasonable price.

My daily drinker when I can get it is the Cline Cotes d'Oakley. Their Zinfandel and their Mourvedre are really quite good.

As you may know, I've been giving praise to Cline for a couple of years (ever since I "discovered" them). Cline Vineyards is a member of the Rhone Rangers.